Last Saturday, sophomore Shreya Uniyal finished runner-up in the NCHSAA 8A Women’s Tennis State Championship. She made it all the way through states until she reached the finals, where she lost in a singles match to senior Devin Gilroy. One of Uniyal’s toughest opponents, Gilroy is based out of Cornelius, NC and has a verbal commitment to Emory University to play D1 tennis. Despite the loss, Uniyal’s performance marked an impressive milestone in her high school tennis career, showcasing her talents and potential as one of the top young players in the state.
“It felt really great to make it to the state championships, especially as a sophomore,” she says. “It felt like I had achieved a lot, and I was proud of myself for getting this far.”
As disappointed as Uniyal was with the loss, she was satisfied with her accomplishments. Her journey through states was a difficult one, and it was no small feat for her to fight her way into being one of the top players in the state.
“I definitely felt some pressure during semifinals because I knew I had to win to reach finals,” Uniyal says. “My opponent was also a really tough player, so I knew I’d have to give it everything I had. It was really stressful, but I stayed focus and was thankfully able to win.”
However, Uniyal was not alone as she won match after match on her way to finals. The Green Level women’s tennis team is characterized by their unwavering support for one another and their solid team bond. Their dedication to showing up for Uniyal was part of what pulled her through.
“My coach and teammates supported me a lot through my journey to states,” she says. “They came to watch my matches even when they didn’t have to and were cheering me on from the sidelines. My coach was away at the time, but she still called to give me tips. We’re all very supportive of one another and always lifting each other up.”
As a whole, the team finished the season strong, winning the conference championship and advancing to the third round of playoffs. Uniyal’s run to the state finals wrapped up an already standout year for the team. Her runner-up finish at states, combined with the team’s success throughout the season, reflects both her talent and the supportive, hard-working environment of Green Level women’s tennis. With two more years ahead of her, there’s no doubt Uniyal will continue to make a huge impact on the court.
